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We are looking to take our first all-inclusive family vacation (2 12-year olds - one boy/one girl). Where would you recommend? How would you suggest we book? Online? Actual travel agent in person?
What can we expect to be available for our family to do?
Mexico is going to get you the most bang for your buck, you may even want to add dominican republic to the mix, great bang for your buck there.
If your open to destinations just want a caribbean AI you may want to check out groupon and living social they run some great travel deals.
I like playa del carmen but the beaches leave something to be desired in town, I normally stay in town, at all inclusives they are a bit nicer. You could also look into Tulum and Akumel and other areas on the riviera maya, probably the best deals you'll find behind maybe punta cana.
I love Jamaica but honestly Jamaica has a lot of problems going on right now. I think Jamaica has some of the best beaches hands down but many longtime visitors are staying away right now. This article pretty much explains why.
Also checkout apple vacations last minute deals or square deals. the square deals are kinda cool you know the area your staying but not hte hotel til you get to the airport but there's some great deals and its fairly common to buy a 4 apple and get upgraded to a 5 apple or 5 golden apple so you often get nicer for a good price.
You may also want to look into cruises, personally not my cup of tea but many people love them, they have kids activities, casino, comedy shows, etc. Basically an AI on the move and probably the best bang for your buck.
Mexico or D.R. seem to be the land of all-inclusives.
Book online direct from individual websites for better hotel deals, packages including air and hotel tend to be better through big sites like Apple Vacations. If you are really good at bargain hunting, using ITA Matrix and stalking Flyertalk can score huge airfare deals.
Personally like less crowded places, and hate being stuck on a resort.
Mexico is going to get you the most bang for your buck, you may even want to add dominican republic to the mix, great bang for your buck there.
If your open to destinations just want a caribbean AI you may want to check out groupon and living social they run some great travel deals.
I like playa del carmen but the beaches leave something to be desired in town, I normally stay in town, at all inclusives they are a bit nicer. You could also look into Tulum and Akumel and other areas on the riviera maya, probably the best deals you'll find behind maybe punta cana.
I love Jamaica but honestly Jamaica has a lot of problems going on right now. I think Jamaica has some of the best beaches hands down but many longtime visitors are staying away right now. This article pretty much explains why.
Also checkout apple vacations last minute deals or square deals. the square deals are kinda cool you know the area your staying but not hte hotel til you get to the airport but there's some great deals and its fairly common to buy a 4 apple and get upgraded to a 5 apple or 5 golden apple so you often get nicer for a good price.
You may also want to look into cruises, personally not my cup of tea but many people love them, they have kids activities, casino, comedy shows, etc. Basically an AI on the move and probably the best bang for your buck.
This is not an article but more like someone who is venting (blog). It would be good to get a real sense of what's going on with Jamaica from lots of others who are just as fed up as this individual, and even so much so to hit the main stream media. If it did, perhaps Jamaica would crack down as all they have going for them is tourism.
We are looking to take our first all-inclusive family vacation (2 12-year olds - one boy/one girl). Where would you recommend? How would you suggest we book? Online? Actual travel agent in person?
What can we expect to be available for our family to do?
Thanks much!
With these ages, you might want to consider the things the kids can do. Or, for that matter things you can do with the kids. Not all of these places are conducive to "kids" this age. Perhaps for teens, but not two year olds....maybe this is how you choose! If you're not concerned with activities for them, then you have even less to worry about. Look at each place you're considering and research activities for your kids. Just my opinion....
This is not an article but more like someone who is venting (blog). It would be good to get a real sense of what's going on with Jamaica from lots of others who are just as fed up as this individual, and even so much so to hit the main stream media. If it did, perhaps Jamaica would crack down as all they have going for them is tourism.
True more of a rant than a news article but if you read the comments below there's many jamaicans themselves as well as travelers who've been going there for 20 plus years who all seem to agree that jamaica and negril specifically is going through a roughtime and many people who are very comfortable traveling there are choosing not to
We aren't fans of all-inclusives, but they can make sense when you travel with kids. Good friends of ours stayed at the Frankin D resort in Jamaica, and raved about it. I checked recent reviews, and it appears to still be highly recommended. It depends on you comfort level with the possibility of being a crime victim (and I wouldn't personally want that hanging over my vacation), but the deals in Jamaica are great: Franklyn D Resort & Spa - Runaway Bay - TripAdvisor
I wouldn't recommend Bermuda with kids. Even my husband was bored, although I liked it.
Mexico would be my choice out of the three. Choose carefully.
We aren't fans of all-inclusives, but they can make sense when you travel with kids. Good friends of ours stayed at the Frankin D resort in Jamaica, and raved about it. I checked recent reviews, and it appears to still be highly recommended. It depends on you comfort level with the possibility of being a crime victim (and I wouldn't personally want that hanging over my vacation), but the deals in Jamaica are great: Franklyn D Resort & Spa - Runaway Bay - TripAdvisor
I wouldn't recommend Bermuda with kids. Even my husband was bored, although I liked it.
Mexico would be my choice out of the three. Choose carefully.
You sound like me, I prefer boutique hotels and trying diff restaurants and bars but I agree with kids much easier having food and drinks and all the amenities at your fingertips. I've been considering AI my last few trips. Thoug not really my cup of tea I always think checking out diff restaurants is fun and dont get me wrong it is, but after 2 or 3 days your exhausted from the sun and hanging out at the beach and some days figuring out where to eat is more trouble than its worth. Plus i like the idea of having all my costs locked in unless I want to go off resort and eat which you can always choose to do at an AI.
I love jamaica but dont like worrying about my safety and security which is why I've been attending some other destinations lately.
Here's a couple recent posts about Jamaica which are very interesting
My brother and his family (including 3 children ages 4-12) went on an all inclusive family vacation to Mexico a few years ago and they loved it.
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